Local startup Club PB&J draws crowds with portable photobooth business
A portable photobooth business is turning heads at MacEwan’s spring market, as Club PB&J draws steady crowds and taps into growing demand for nostalgic, on-site photography experiences across Edmonton.
Club PB&J's Booth at SAMU's Spring Market Photo credit: Dana Graciela Inzon
A local photobooth startup drew steady lineups at MacEwan University’s spring market recently, highlighting growing demand for nostalgia-driven event experiences.
The Students’ Association of MacEwan University (SAMU) hosted the two-day market March 20 and 21, where Club PB&J, a local photobooth business owned by Jhann Reyes and Jazmine Ruiz, showcased its modular setup.
Attendees gathered around a compact booth equipped with a touchscreen, DSLR camera, printer and built-in speakers to take instant black-and-white photo strips.
Club PB&J, short for Photobooth by Jhann and Jazmine, operates as a mobile rental service, bringing its setup directly to events across the Edmonton area.
“The Club [from the name] is more of bringing community together,” Reyes said. It’s like, ‘Hey, you’re part of the PB&J club. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you are. Once you get a photo with us and you enjoy those moments, you’re part of the PB&J club.’”
Unlike most traditional fixed location photobooths, the business is built around portability. Reyes and Ruiz’ transport the booth in four components; the roof, floor, main unit and seating, allowing them to assemble and disassemble it on site.
“It has to fit in regular standard doors,” Reyes said. “And on elevators if [the event] is on [an upper level].”
The couple said designing a compact and mobile system was key to the business model, enabling them to serve a range of venues, from campus events to private functions.
For each booking, the owners follow a structured setup process that includes pre- and post-event checklists and equipment planning, such as using dollies to move components safely.
Reyes said their approach was informed by previous business experience and a focus on efficiency and reliability during on-site setups.
The business has gained visibility through pop-up appearances and event rentals, particularly among younger customers, and is seeing increasing demand.
“We are able to pop up in Northside, Southside, and Sherwood Park,” Reyes added, “We have [other events] in Calgary [and Banff] that are coming up, and we’re thankful for that.”
As demand grows, the company is expanding beyond Edmonton while maintaining its focus on portable service and instant print photography.
“We are just looking forward to reaching more people and letting them know, ‘Hey, PB&J is here, so you guys can make more memories and keep these memories as long as you want, at any time.”
Reyes said the business aims to keep its photo output simple and consistent, with black-and-white prints designed to remain timeless.
